Monday, August 27

Yarra Wattle

At the time of Federation in Australia in 1901, the wattle was considered the national flower as it was found in all states and territories. Its golden colour was linked to prosperity and the spirit of the emerging nation. Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha became our national floral emblem in 1988 and floral tributes are often seen at funerals and were evident at those of the Bali bombings.

Walter Withers was a famous Australian landscape painter who in his later years owned a property in Eltham. He painted many scenes at that time in history. Several of his paintings were of scenes similar to the above photos taken recently of wattle flowering on the banks of the Yarra at nearby Warrandyte. Prints of his pictures and history are interspersed along its banks which add interest for walkers. The Yarra is often said to be flowing upside down because of its muddy appearances as it carries suspended silt.

With these facts in mind I have composed some verse

River you reflect our first spring raysWattle symbol our first nations praise Withers surveyed in morning hazeWattle blooms a picture to gaze

Withers heeded nature’s spring callMixed vibrant colours for us to adore Painted a picture of natures embracePaintings resplendent of new nations place

The rivers currents still flow upside downFrom mountain streams to city, ocean boundWithers pictures now prints on the banksLandscapes he painted put spring in our steps

Hi Val,Laura,Josie, & Rachael~ We went on a short bushwalk recently and the Wattles were in full bloom. It's been exceptionally good weather of late. In summer when hot it's not unusual to see folk cooling down in the river near Warrandtye.Best wishes

Hi Lindsay,These are excellent photos of a beautiful part of Melbourne - our own muddy but lovely Yarra! I'm about to post some photos at Patra's Other Place of my Aussie Wattle which has just started flowering - it was only planted last year!Thank you for your comments about my job situation, and yes please - I would love any support, especially from another local! Can you email me direct? I don't have your email addy, but mine is on my profile.Cheers.

so, was the original wattle fence actually made with wattles? around here, willows are used. it'll be warming up round you, as we cool off here on the other side of the globe. our willows are beginning to change color with the first of the fall frosts.

Hi Le & Granny F ~Wattle fencing is used for enclosures for orchards and animals as live wattle fences can be seen in paddocks, cemeteries, public parks, reserves, sports grounds, railway stations, besides roads and practically anywhere. Live wattle fences are useful on river banks to curtail erosion and give excellent protection against fires.

LIVE wattle fences.... ooooooh! now you've really got my imagination going full speed! what i've seen called wattle locally, was willow twigs woven in kind of a fence-mat. there was a restaurant in Edmonton or Calgary that had one around the outdoor patio for a few years. sadly,it seemed to be a favorite target for vandals.

About Me

I have worked in the roles as Company Secretary or Divisional financial executive with larger Australian based multinational companies before changing careers in favour of sales and marketing for the latter 12 years of business life.
My particular interests include corporate social responsibility, ethics and research into more sustainable business practices.
I am a fellow of CPA Australia and an Associate member of the Governance Institute of Australia which was previously called the Chartered Secretaries Australia. I am chairman of the Malawi Support group who are a small group of catholic parishioners who raise funds to support a sister parish in Malawi.